What is the Northern Lights strain?
Northern Lights is an indica-dominant cannabis strain. Its parent lines are Afghan indica and Thai sativa. Breeders in the Pacific Northwest stabilized the cross in the 1970s and 1980s. Sensi Seeds lists Northern Lights in its catalog since 1985.
THC in tested flower runs 16% to 21%. CBD runs 0.1% to 0.5% in most lab samples. That puts the THC to CBD ratio near 40 to 1. Northern Lights is a high-THC strain, not a CBD strain.
Lineage and numbering
Most seed banks trace the strain to Afghan landrace genetics crossed with a Thai sativa. Sensi Seeds sold numbered cuts. Northern Lights #5 is the best known. Numbers mark separate mother plants kept by the original breeder.
Terpenes
Lab reports list these terpenes as the main ones:
- Myrcene: the top terpene in most samples
- Caryophyllene
- Pinene
- Limonene
Myrcene content drives the smell. Users report pine, earth, and sweet spice notes.
Reported effects
User reports describe body relaxation, sleepiness, and appetite increase. Reported uses include insomnia, chronic pain, and stress. These reports are anecdotal. Clinical trials on this strain do not exist.
Growing facts
- Height indoors: 1 to 1.5 meters
- Flowering time: 7 to 9 weeks
- Yield indoors: 400 to 500 grams per square meter
- Resin: heavy, which suits extract makers
The plant grows short and bushy. Growers use topping and low-stress training to open the canopy.
CBD products labeled Northern Lights
Some hemp companies sell CBD oil, gummies, and vapes under the Northern Lights name. These products come from hemp, not from the original cannabis cut. Federal hemp rules cap THC at 0.3% dry weight. CBD amounts on labels run 10 mg to 50 mg per serving.
Two checks matter before purchase:
- A batch certificate of analysis from an ISO 17025 lab
- THC result at or under 0.3%
A COA lists cannabinoid content, terpenes, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials. Ask the seller for the COA that matches the batch number on the package. If the seller cannot supply it, buy elsewhere.
Legal note
US federal law treats hemp with 0.3% THC or less as legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Cannabis above that limit is legal in some states and illegal in others. Rules differ by state. Check your state law before you buy.